TULSA – FC Tulsa’s midfield is getting stronger as the club announced on Thursday that it had signed former MLS midfielder Eric Bird to its 2020 USL Championship roster. Bird comes to Tulsa after spending the last two years under contract with Houston Dynamo of MLS where he made 12 appearances for the club and contributed to its 2018 U.S. Open Cup run to the championship.
Last season, Bird, 26, played primarily with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the Championship on loan from the Dynamo, making 17 appearances while scoring two goals and adding two assists. Since joining the Dynamo organization, initially as a member of RGV FC, Bird has made 72 regular season appearances for the Toros, scoring 13 times with seven assists. Bird also has a goal in his lone playoff appearance against OKC Energy FC in 2016.
“Eric will be one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the USL Championship,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “He can play any of the midfield positions. He has the final pass and shot of an attacking midfielder, the engine of a box-to-box player and the intelligence and composure to bring the ball out of the back in build-up play. Eric brings the high-level experience from MLS, but also understands the USL Championship after being loaned on occasions.”
After becoming an MLS SuperDraft pick of the Philadelphia Union in 2015, Bird worked his way through multiple USL Championship clubs to make his MLS debut on June 2, 2018 with the Dynamo. That season he played in six MLS regular season matches, starting four and made two U.S. Open Cup appearances in Houston’s historic run. Prior to his debut with the Dynamo, Bird was a mainstay for RGV FC, serving as the club’s captain in 2017.
“I’m very excited to be signing with FC Tulsa,” said Bird. “I can already tell from top to bottom this new club is serious about wanting to bring home a trophy. This soccer city and these dedicated fans deserve a winning team, and I wanted to be a part of just that.”
In his collegiate career at the University of Virginia, Bird was one of the best players in the nation, scoring 15 goals in 73 appearances. As a senior, Bird captained the Cavaliers to an NCAA National Championship and was named a Second-Team All-American.
Bird joins FC Tulsa as the third midfielder on the 2020 roster following the re-signings of Cristhian Altamirano and Brayan Reyes. To date he is the 15th player signed to the roster for next season.
TULSA – FC Tulsa’s midfield is getting stronger as the club announced on Thursday that it had signed former MLS midfielder Eric Bird to its 2020 USL Championship roster. Bird comes to Tulsa after spending the last two years under contract with Houston Dynamo of MLS where he made 12 appearances for the club and contributed to its 2018 U.S. Open Cup run to the championship.
Last season, Bird, 26, played primarily with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros of the Championship on loan from the Dynamo, making 17 appearances while scoring two goals and adding two assists. Since joining the Dynamo organization, initially as a member of RGV FC, Bird has made 72 regular season appearances for the Toros, scoring 13 times with seven assists. Bird also has a goal in his lone playoff appearance against OKC Energy FC in 2016.
“Eric will be one of the most well-rounded midfielders in the USL Championship,” said FC Tulsa head coach Michael Nsien. “He can play any of the midfield positions. He has the final pass and shot of an attacking midfielder, the engine of a box-to-box player and the intelligence and composure to bring the ball out of the back in build-up play. Eric brings the high-level experience from MLS, but also understands the USL Championship after being loaned on occasions.”
After becoming an MLS SuperDraft pick of the Philadelphia Union in 2015, Bird worked his way through multiple USL Championship clubs to make his MLS debut on June 2, 2018 with the Dynamo. That season he played in six MLS regular season matches, starting four and made two U.S. Open Cup appearances in Houston’s historic run. Prior to his debut with the Dynamo, Bird was a mainstay for RGV FC, serving as the club’s captain in 2017.
“I’m very excited to be signing with FC Tulsa,” said Bird. “I can already tell from top to bottom this new club is serious about wanting to bring home a trophy. This soccer city and these dedicated fans deserve a winning team, and I wanted to be a part of just that.”
In his collegiate career at the University of Virginia, Bird was one of the best players in the nation, scoring 15 goals in 73 appearances. As a senior, Bird captained the Cavaliers to an NCAA National Championship and was named a Second-Team All-American.
Bird joins FC Tulsa as the third midfielder on the 2020 roster following the re-signings of Cristhian Altamirano and Brayan Reyes. To date he is the 15th player signed to the roster for next season.
